High-tension switch mechanism



Nov. 10,1925 1, 9 8

C. G. KOPPITZ HIGH TENSION SWITCH MECHANISM Filed July 24 1924 2 Shani-Shed 1 Nov. 10 1925. 1,560,998

C. G. KOPPITZ HIGH 'rnnlon SWITCH MECHANISM QQMQW a a wmrayw Patented Nov. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL G. KOPPITZ, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO RAILWAY AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING COMPANY, OF GREENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, A GOR- POBATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

HIGH-TENSION SWITCH MECHANISM.

Application filed July 24, 1924. Serial No. 728,021.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL G. Korrrrz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Greensburg, in the county of Westmoreland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in High-Tension Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to high tension switch mechanism and more particularly to that class-of switches directly exposed to atmospheric conditions.

In switch mechanism exposed to the weather the formation of sleet and ice sometimes prevents the opening of the switch blade and satisfactory operation, in general, with the result that much time must be lost in clearing the switches, not to speak of the inconvenience of carrying out the clearing operation at such times.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide switch mechanism of such construction that the formation of obstructions such as sleet or ice does not interfere with the operation thereof.

It is a more particular object to provide a switch construction which is capable of breaking obstructions and clearing them away out of the path of the switch blade.

Another object is a construction that is self-cleaning, in general, in the sense that it operates to insure clean contact surface.

For a full disclosure of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a switch construction embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top view thereof; and

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary end views showing different relative positions of parts incident to the operation of the switch mechanism.

The switch blade 10 is hinged on the top of an insulator 11, while the jaws 12 are mounted on an insulator 13 supported upon an arm 14 of a tower or line pole. As indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the hinge connection may consist of a U-shaped bracket 15 on the insulator 11 and a U-shaped lug 16 at the end of the switch blade pivotally interconnected by a in 17. j

. The switch bla e, so called, preferably consists of a tubular element carrying at its front end a beaver-tail contact piece 18. The form and construction of this contact piece is of the greatest importance.

I have found by experience that, contrary to older views, a large contact surface is not necessary between the blade and the jaws, provided the contact pressure is very high and the heat-conducting characteristics of the jaws are such that heat may be rapidly carried away and dissipated. This requirement is generally satisfied by jaws of copper or other metal of high electric conductivity which have a correspondingly high heat-conductive capacity, if the current density is kept low.

The jaws 12 are constructed to exert a high pressure of the order of several hundred pounds upon the .contact piece 18 in the case of a 600 amp. switch, while the contact is actually very small. The edges of the contact piece are rounded for a purpose to be more particularly referred to.

The tubular blade 10 is mounted for rotation about its own axis. While this may be accomplished in various ways, in the construction illustrated the U-shaped lug 16 carries a short internal shaft extending into the end of the tubular blade and servin as a swivel bearing therefor. Relative axiamotion of the blade away from this shaft may be plrevented in various ways, as for instance y a pin on the blade engaging a peripheral groove in the shaft, as is well understood.

Adjoining the lug 16, the blade carries a casting 19 having trunnions 20 which afford bearings for a forked link 21, the common end of which carries a ball operating in a socket 22 at thetop of an insulator 23 mounted for rotation on a hollow pivot stud 24. Instead of a ball and socket joint other suitable universal motion joints may be emplo ed.

The re ative angular position of the insulator 23, the universal joint, the forked link 21 and the trunnions 20 is such that angular movement of the insulator 23 is translated first into rotary movement of the blade 10 through anangle of approximately 60 and that further angular movement effects angular movement of the blade about its pivot connection opening the switch. I

Adjacent the jaws 12, a stop 25 is mounted upon the insulator 13 to limit the downward movement of the blade.

In order to avoid undue strainupon the insulator 23 incident to the reaction of the link 21 upon it, I preferably provide an auxiliary pivot connection comprising an arm 26 secured upon insulator 11 and an arm 27 secured upon the to of insulator 23, the two arms being pivotal y interconnected in vertical alignment with the axis of the pivot stud 24.

To deLay the interruption of the current until the switch is open and to extinguish the are formed, the well-known horn arrangement may be employed in the following manner: A stationary born 28 may be mounted upon the insulator in electric con nection with the line wire connected to the base of the jaws 12. A horn.29 extends forwardly from the contact piece 18. The born 29 is so bent that after rotation of the blade 10 and when in the upward movement of the latter the two horns separate, the

' latter define the usual flare.

The insulator 23 is operated, as is well understood, by means of a rod extending downwardly from stud 24. The operation is as follows:

Assume that sleet or ice has formed between the jaws forming a bridge thereacross.

During the first part of the angular move ment of insulator 23 the blade is rotated whereby the contactpiece acts like an auger. One portion is turned upwardly bearing with considerable force against the bridge of ice and breaking it to pieces. Bearing in mind that the peripheral movement of the contact piece is only a small fraction of the peripheral movement of insulator 23,

a considerable mechanical advantage is obtained with the result that a large force is made available for crushing the obstruction. Experiments have shown that in practice out of the ordinary large obstructionsv ma be so crushed that after rotation the switc blademay be freely lifted out of the jaws. vThe ice that may have formed on other parts of. the switch mechanism is successively shattered during the different phases in intimate contact with it until they separate, while-in the normal position of the element 18 in contact with the jaws 12-no bindi'ng relation exists between the horns. By this preferable disposition of the horn 29 the element 18 is free to adjust itselfbetween the jaws and the contact pressures between the element 18 and the jaws 12 may be equalized.

I claim 1. In switch mechanism, the combinatio of a switch blade comprising a portion supported for angular movement in a plane through the jaws and a portion including the contact end revoluble about the axis of the blade, and means for operating the switch, said means being operative to effect an angular movement'of the blade as a whole and a rotary movement of the revoluble portion at the end of the closing movement and at the beginning of the opening movement, respectively.

2. In switch mechanism, the combination of a switch blade having at its front end a contact element, jaws for receiving the contact element, means at the opposite end of the blade for supporting the latter for angular movement in a plane through the,

jaws, the blade being constructed of two parts of which one carrying the contact element is revoluble about the axis of the blade, and means for operating the switch, said means being operative to effect an angular movement of the blade as a whole and a rotary movement of the revoluble art at the end of the closing movement an at the beginning of the opening movement, respeetively.

3. In switch mechanism, the combination of a switch blade comprising a hinge portion and a tubular portion revolubly mounted thereon, a contact element at the front end of'the tubular portion, jaws for receiving the contact element, and means for operating the switch, said means being constructed and arranged to effect an angular movement of the blade as a whole and a rotary movement of the tubular portion at the end of the closing movement and at the beginning of the opening movement, respectively.

4. In switch mechanism, the combination of a switch blade comprising a hinge portion and a. tubular portion revolubly mounted thereon, a contact element at the front end of the tubular portion, having a width greater than the diameter of the tubular portion, and means for operating the switch said means being constructed and arranged to effect an angular movement of the blade as a whole and a rotary movement of the tubular portion at the end of the closing movement and at the beginning of the opening movement, respectivel 5. Arrangement aceordmg to claim 4 in an insulator mounte which the contact element has rounded lateral edges defining a relatively narrow plane contact surface.

6. In high tension switch mechanism,'the combination of a stationary insulator carrying switch jaws, a stationary insulator carrying a hinge support, a switch blade having a hinge portion connected to the said support and a portion revolnbly mounted on the hinge portion, a contact element forming partof the revoluble portion, said contact element extending in one plane laterally beyond the revoluble portion and defining relatively narrow contact surfaces, and means for operatin the switch, including for arcuate movement in a plane transversely to the plane of movement of the blade about the hinge, a forked link havin its forked ends ]011lnaled to the revolu 1e portion of the blade and a universal motion connection between the common end of the forked link and the insulator, the construction and arrangement of the parts being such that movement of the insulator effects angular movement of the blade about the hinge connection and rotary movement of the revoluble portion at the end of the closing movement and atthe begilnning of the opening movement, respective 7. Switch mechanism according to claim 6 in which the universal motion connection consists of a ball and socket connection.

8. Switch mechanism according to claim 6 in which the revoluble portion is a tubular member and the hinge portion includes a shaft on which the tubular member is re volubly supported.

9. Switch mechanism according to claim 6 in which the revoluble portion is a tubular member and the hinge portion includes a shaft on which the tubular member is revolubly supported and means for presenting relative axial movement of the tubular member and the shaft.

10. Switch mechanism according to claim 6 including a stationary horn member mounted adjacent the jaws and a horn member extending forwardly of the contact element. said second horn member bein disposed laterally of the axis of revolutlon of the revoluble blade portion.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature.

CARL G. KOPPITZ. 

